Life is full of struggles. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, financial hardship, health challenges, or spiritual dryness, suffering often shakes our trust in God. Yet the Catholic faith teaches us that these are not moments to give up, but opportunities to grow closer to Christ.
You may find yourself asking:
- Why is God allowing this?
- Is He really listening to my prayers?
- How can I trust Him when everything feels out of control?
But here’s the good news: difficult times don’t have to weaken your faith, they can actually deepen it. In moments of struggle, God invites us to draw closer to Him, surrender our fears, and develop a trust that is unshakable.
If you’re wondering how to deepen your faith in difficult times, this guide will walk you through seven powerful steps to grow spiritually, strengthen your trust in God, and find peace even in the midst of trials.
Faith Is Like a Muscle and It Grows Through Challenges
Faith is not just a feeling. It’s a choice. It must be exercised, just like a muscle. If we never challenge our bodies, our muscles weaken. The same is true for faith.
Trials strengthen trust in God, pushing us to rely on Him in ways we never have before. Instead of seeing suffering as a punishment, see it as an invitation. See it as a chance to grow spiritually and experience God’s presence more deeply.
📖 James 1:2-3: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
When you take active steps to grow spiritually, you will emerge from the storm stronger, wiser, and more deeply rooted in Christ.
Why Faith Matters in Hardship
When life feels unbearable, faith is not a luxury but a lifeline. Catholic tradition reminds us that trials are not punishments, but invitations to trust God more deeply. By seeking spiritual growth during trials, we discover peace even when life feels chaotic. Learning how to deepen your faith in difficult times is not about escaping suffering, but about finding Christ within it.
1. Remember God’s Presence in Suffering
Many people feel abandoned by God when life becomes painful. Yet Scripture reminds us that He is closest to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). If you are asking how to strengthen faith when life is hard, the first step is to believe that God has not left you. Even in silence, He is at work. The saints often experienced darkness but remained faithful, showing us how to deepen your faith in difficult times by trusting God’s presence even when we cannot feel it.
2. Pray Honestly and Persistently
When life is tough, prayer is your lifeline. But that’s precisely when it can also feel the hardest. You may struggle to find the words or feel like God is silent. Pray anyway. Prayer is the anchor of Catholic faith in hard times. Instead of hiding your struggles, bring them to God honestly. Cry out like the Psalmist, who said, “How long, O Lord?” (Psalm 13:1).
Honest prayer allows your relationship with God to grow stronger. If you want to learn ways to grow closer to God in struggles, begin by setting aside daily time for prayer, even if all you can do is sit quietly and whisper, “Jesus, I trust in You.” This simple act is a key to how to deepen your faith in difficult times.
- Consistency matters more than feelings: Faith grows when we stay in conversation with God, even in doubt.
- Pray honestly: Tell God your fears, struggles, and frustrations.
- Start small: Even 5-10 minutes of daily prayer can transform your spiritual life over time.
📌 Practical Tip: If you struggle to pray, try the ACTS method:
- Adoration – Praise God for who He is.
- Confession – Ask for forgiveness.
- Thanksgiving – Express gratitude.
- Supplication – Present your needs to Him.
📖 Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
3. Strengthen Your Faith with Scripture
Scripture is full of encouragement for those suffering. Meditating on verses about endurance and trust can help you keep faith in God during trials. Reading about Job’s perseverance, Paul’s letters written in prison, and Christ’s own suffering shows us that difficulties have always been part of the journey of faith.
Keeping faith in God during trials means looking to examples of faith in the bible, like Abraham who was waiting on God for his son. Trusting God in suffering means looking to Martha and Mary who told Jesus, if you had been here, our brother wouldn’t have died, yet they still believed in him. Or look to Our Lady of Sorrows who patiently waited for the son she had seen be crucified to rise from the dead on Easter Sunday. To deepen your faith in difficult times, create a habit of reading the Bible daily, even if only a few verses.
God speaks through His Word. When life feels chaotic, turn to Scripture to find clarity, comfort, and strength.
- Read Bible passages about trusting God (Psalm 23, Romans 8:28, Matthew 6:25-34).
- Meditate on Jesus’ teachings about faith and endurance (John 16:33).
- Keep a Bible verse journal and write down verses that stand out to you.
📌 Practical Tip: Read one Gospel chapter per day and ask:
- What does this teach me about God’s faithfulness?
- How can I apply this in my current struggles?
📖 Romans 10:17: “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”
4. Receive the Sacraments Regularly
Christ Jesus in the bible has given us through the Catholic Church the sacraments as sources of grace. The Eucharist strengthens us with Christ Himself, while Confession restores us when sin weighs us down. If you are wondering how to strengthen faith when life is hard, going to Mass and confession regularly will provide spiritual strength that cannot be found anywhere else. The sacraments are essential tools for how to deepen your faith in difficult times because they connect us directly to God’s grace.
If you want to deepen your faith in difficult times, stay close to the sacraments. Especially the Eucharist and Confession.
- The Eucharist nourishes your soul, giving you strength for spiritual battles.
- Confession cleanses your heart and brings you back into God’s grace.
- Receiving grace through the sacraments helps you trust God more deeply.
📌 Practical Tip: Commit to attending one extra daily Mass (asides every Sunday) and monthly Confession (even when you don’t feel like it). Grace is real, and it transforms your heart.
📖 John 6:35: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
5. Unite Your Suffering with Christ
One of the deepest Catholic teachings is that suffering, when united with Christ, becomes redemptive. This truth is central to understanding how to deepen your faith in difficult times. St. John Paul II called this “salvific suffering,” where our pain becomes prayer when offered to God. Instead of asking only for suffering to be removed, ask how it can be used for your growth or the good of others. In doing so, you discover spiritual growth during trials and a deeper bond with Jesus, who suffered for us.
Another way of offering up our suffering is by fasting to cast out the spirit of sadness and cure us of an excessive inward gaze instead of an upward one.
Mind you, Catholic fasting is not just about food. It’s about strengthening self-discipline and deepening reliance on God.
- Fasting teaches detachment from material comforts.
- It helps refocus your heart on God rather than distractions.
- Small sacrifices unite you to Christ’s suffering.
📌 Practical Tip: Try fasting from social media or entertainment for a day to spend more time with God.
📖 Matthew 6:16: “When you fast, do not look somber like the hypocrites.”
6. Surround Yourself with Faithful Community
Difficult times often make people withdraw into isolation, but faith is meant to be lived in community. Sharing your burdens with fellow Catholics through prayer groups, parish life, or even one trusted friend can be one of the most effective ways to grow closer to God in struggles. Community encourages you to keep faith in God during trials and reminds you that you are not alone. Support from others helps you stay strong and is a vital part of how to deepen your faith in difficult times.
A strong Catholic community can encourage, pray for, and support you when you feel weak.
- Join a Catholic Bible study, prayer group, or Catholic community for fellowship.
- Lean on faith-filled friends and mentors who uplift you.
- Surround yourself with believers who remind you of God’s faithfulness.
📌 Practical Tip: If you feel isolated, ask God to lead you to the right people. He will provide the community you need.
📖 Hebrews 10:25: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”
7. Practice Daily Acts of Trust
Trust grows when exercised. Each day, choose one small act that places your confidence in God. It could be surrendering a worry in prayer, choosing gratitude over complaint, or serving someone else in love. These small choices, repeated daily, are powerful ways to strengthen faith when life is hard. Step by step, you will see that trust becomes a habit, not just a hope.
Journaling is one of the most powerful ways to deepen your faith.
- It helps you process emotions and recognize God’s hand in your life.
- Looking back on past blessings builds trust for future trials.
- Writing down Bible verses and reflections keeps your heart focused.
📌 Practical Tip: Every night, write 3 things you’re thankful for, even small things. Gratitude shifts your focus from problems to God’s goodness.
If you need a prayer journal that helps with this. Get the Draw Near devotional here. It includes a bible verse to meditate on for the day, a meditation, a journal prompt and a prayer that is sure to help you trust God more.
8. Focus on Eternal Hope
Suffering tempts us to believe the pain will never end. But Catholics are reminded that heaven awaits those who persevere. Keeping your eyes on eternal life provides perspective on how to deepen your faith in difficult times. St. Paul wrote, “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed” (Romans 8:18). Hope in heaven helps us endure trials with faith and courage.
At the heart of faith is trusting God’s plan, even when we don’t understand it. You don’t know what the future holds but you have hope in the One who holds your future.
- Faith deepens when you surrender control and let God lead because He knows best.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
- The more you surrender your fears to God, the more it puts thing into perspective and gives peace and strength.
📌 Practical Tip: Pray the Surrender Novena daily when struggling.
Final Encouragement
Learning how to deepen your faith in difficult times is not about pretending pain does not exist. It is about walking with Christ through the storm, trusting that He brings purpose out of suffering. By praying, receiving the sacraments, leaning on Scripture, and offering your struggles to God, you will grow in holiness and discover peace.
No matter what you are facing today, God is with you. Take one step of faith, however small, and let Him lead you forward.
✅ Which of these steps will you commit to this week?
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💡 What to Do Next: 👉 What are your thoughts? Share your experience in the comments below!
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“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” – St. Mother Teresa
